The Season of Thankfulness

I absolutely love this time of year. The weather, the colors, the clothing, the spirit, the reasons. There is no greater joy than walking outdoors into a crisp air, crunching leaves below my feet, and the scent of autumn. You know that smell? It’s the combination of cold air and bonfires. There is so much to be thankful for all the time- not just during a short couple of months out of the year- but I love that we take a season, particularly one day, to focus on being thankful. It is a day that reminds us there is always more. There is always more joy, always more hope, and always more to be thankful for. And, in a time of such need and desperation, I am especially thankful for this country and the people I have in my life. I am so thankful for the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving. No matter where we stand in politics, no matter which end of the spectrum you might land on current events and issues, we can band together and say together that this nation is one of a kind. It always has been. We are blessed beyond measure. Sure, there is fear for what is to come in a time such as now. There is worry for what could happen. But, I find a peace like none other when I think about the fact this world is not my home. In a time when terror and persecution are more real than we’ve known in our lifetime, there is hope. There is peace in knowing the best is yet to come. 

So what am I thankful for as Thanksgiving fast approaches? I am thankful for a roof. I am thankful for food in my pantry. I am thankful to love what I do. I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for my goldendoodle. I am thankful for family I get to see for the first time in a long time in less than a week. I look forward to celebrating love this upcoming Thursday. Love is real, love is important. Love is priority, our world knows this now more than ever. It needs it now more than ever. As a Christian, I believe we are taking part in this world the greatest love story that’s ever been told, how are you playing your role? 

I love talking to actors; they are such fun people. What is so fun about a good actor is how they commit so fully to their role that you begin to believe they whole heartedly believe that is who they actually are. In the same manner, are you fully committed to your role in the greatest love story? Are you merely walking through the motions or, worse, indifferent? Unless you are passionate about loving whole heartedly, knowing we love because he first loved us enough to die for us, you are cutting yourself short of pure joy. Love people well, you guys. In a world such as today’s may we be thankful for what we have and love those we have the opportunity to know. 

I hope this Thursday is the best Thanksgiving you’ve ever had. I hope it is full of deep belly laughs, good food, perfect pumpkin pie, family and joy. I hope you take advantage of time you have with those you love most. I pray if you have a broken family, there is healing and restoration. I pray that years of unrest and dispute will be miraculously washed away. This world is too broken to hate those you ought to hold dearest to you. Cling to what is good, forgive where you’ve been wronged. Use words wisely, love big, and hold on so tightly that it seems time has frozen for just even a moment.

You are so loved. If this time of year is hard for you, I get it. I would love to chat through anything you want to. I am all ears. I love to hear your stories, I love to pray for you, I love to let you know that brokenness is normal, it’s real and isn’t something to be ashamed of. You are normal, no matter your circumstances, I promise it is normal. Love where you are at and take full advantage of who you have around you to love the mess out of them. 

You are loved.

xoxoxo, Han